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If you’re a Mortgage Loan Originator, you already know your license is the heartbeat of your career. Each year, renewing through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) keeps you compliant and able to originate loans. But if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the steps, the deadlines, or the alphabet soup of CE requirements, you’re not alone. Here’s a straightforward look at how the process works—and how to stay ahead of it.
Every fall, the NMLS opens its renewal window on November 1. That’s your green light to start the process. You have until December 31 to wrap everything up on time. Miss that window, and you’ll slide into the “reinstatement period,” which runs through the end of February. You can still renew then, but it comes with extra fees and more stress. Wait past that, and your license expires—which means you’re sitting out of the game until you reapply.
The best strategy? Don’t wait. Think of November as your kickoff month and December as your backup plan.
Before you can even think about clicking “renew” in your NMLS account, your continuing education has to be complete and reported. For most MLOs, that means eight hours of CE each year: federal law, ethics, non-traditional lending, and an elective. Some states layer on additional hours, so it’s worth double-checking your state’s rules before you sign up.
At MaxClass, we’ve made this easier with our 7-hour federal core plus a 1-hour elective. That way, if your state requires a specific elective, you can mix and match to get exactly what you need without taking extra time you don’t have. Find your required courses here →
Not sure if you've already completed your CE requirements? Learn how to check your NMLS record.
Once your CE credits are reported, the real “renewal” part begins. You’ll log in to your NMLS account, choose which licenses you’re renewing, and pay the required fees. If you work for a company, they may also need to sign off on your renewal request. If you’re independent, you’ll handle the whole process yourself.
This part is usually pretty quick—assuming your CE is squared away and you don’t run into any last-minute surprises.
Submitting your renewal isn’t the finish line. Your state regulator still has to review and approve it. Keep an eye on your NMLS dashboard for updates or outstanding requirements. Once your license shows as “approved,” you’re officially cleared to keep originating into the new year.
It happens. If December 31 passes you by, you can still renew during January and February. It’ll cost you more in fees, but you won’t lose your license right away. The real trouble starts if you miss February 29—at that point, your license expires, and you’ll need to reapply to get back in the business.
Renewing your MLO license doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does take planning. The key is to finish your CE early, log into NMLS as soon as the window opens on November 1, and give yourself plenty of cushion in case something unexpected pops up. Procrastination is the number one reason MLOs run into trouble with renewal, and it’s totally avoidable.
At MaxClass, we’re here to make the CE side of things simple, engaging, and actually useful. Once that’s out of the way, the rest of the process is a breeze.
When does NMLS license renewal open?
The renewal window opens every year on November 1 and closes on December 31.
What is the reinstatement period?
If you miss the December 31 deadline, you can still renew between January 1 and February 29, but you’ll pay extra fees.
How many hours of CE do I need to renew my license?
Most MLOs need 8 hours of CE: 3 hours federal law, 2 hours ethics, 2 hours non-traditional mortgage lending, and 1 elective. Some states require additional hours.
Do I need to take state-specific CE?
Yes, if your state requires it. You’ll take the 7-hour federal core plus the 1-hour (or more) state elective(s). Find out what your state requires here →
Can I renew my license before completing CE?
No. Your CE must be completed and reported to NMLS before your renewal request can be approved.
What happens if I don’t renew at all?
Your license will expire after February 29, and you’ll need to reapply with your state regulator before you can originate loans again.
If you’re a Mortgage Loan Originator, you already know your license is the heartbeat of your career. Each year, renewing through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) keeps you compliant and able to originate loans. But if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the steps, the deadlines, or the alphabet soup of CE requirements, you’re not alone. Here’s a straightforward look at how the process works—and how to stay ahead of it.
Every fall, the NMLS opens its renewal window on November 1. That’s your green light to start the process. You have until December 31 to wrap everything up on time. Miss that window, and you’ll slide into the “reinstatement period,” which runs through the end of February. You can still renew then, but it comes with extra fees and more stress. Wait past that, and your license expires—which means you’re sitting out of the game until you reapply.
The best strategy? Don’t wait. Think of November as your kickoff month and December as your backup plan.
Before you can even think about clicking “renew” in your NMLS account, your continuing education has to be complete and reported. For most MLOs, that means eight hours of CE each year: federal law, ethics, non-traditional lending, and an elective. Some states layer on additional hours, so it’s worth double-checking your state’s rules before you sign up.
At MaxClass, we’ve made this easier with our 7-hour federal core plus a 1-hour elective. That way, if your state requires a specific elective, you can mix and match to get exactly what you need without taking extra time you don’t have. Find your required courses here →
Not sure if you've already completed your CE requirements? Learn how to check your NMLS record.
Once your CE credits are reported, the real “renewal” part begins. You’ll log in to your NMLS account, choose which licenses you’re renewing, and pay the required fees. If you work for a company, they may also need to sign off on your renewal request. If you’re independent, you’ll handle the whole process yourself.
This part is usually pretty quick—assuming your CE is squared away and you don’t run into any last-minute surprises.
Submitting your renewal isn’t the finish line. Your state regulator still has to review and approve it. Keep an eye on your NMLS dashboard for updates or outstanding requirements. Once your license shows as “approved,” you’re officially cleared to keep originating into the new year.
It happens. If December 31 passes you by, you can still renew during January and February. It’ll cost you more in fees, but you won’t lose your license right away. The real trouble starts if you miss February 29—at that point, your license expires, and you’ll need to reapply to get back in the business.
Renewing your MLO license doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does take planning. The key is to finish your CE early, log into NMLS as soon as the window opens on November 1, and give yourself plenty of cushion in case something unexpected pops up. Procrastination is the number one reason MLOs run into trouble with renewal, and it’s totally avoidable.
At MaxClass, we’re here to make the CE side of things simple, engaging, and actually useful. Once that’s out of the way, the rest of the process is a breeze.
When does NMLS license renewal open?
The renewal window opens every year on November 1 and closes on December 31.
What is the reinstatement period?
If you miss the December 31 deadline, you can still renew between January 1 and February 29, but you’ll pay extra fees.
How many hours of CE do I need to renew my license?
Most MLOs need 8 hours of CE: 3 hours federal law, 2 hours ethics, 2 hours non-traditional mortgage lending, and 1 elective. Some states require additional hours.
Do I need to take state-specific CE?
Yes, if your state requires it. You’ll take the 7-hour federal core plus the 1-hour (or more) state elective(s). Find out what your state requires here →
Can I renew my license before completing CE?
No. Your CE must be completed and reported to NMLS before your renewal request can be approved.
What happens if I don’t renew at all?
Your license will expire after February 29, and you’ll need to reapply with your state regulator before you can originate loans again.
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